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Key Summary
- Minimum IELTS Overview: Most universities require 6.0–6.5 overall for undergraduate programs and 6.5–7.0 for postgraduate programs, with specific minimum scores for each skill; foundation or pathway programs accept lower scores (4.5–5.5).
- Country & University Variations: IELTS requirements differ by country and institution, with detailed university-wise scores provided for the UK, Ireland, Europe, Canada, UAE, USA, and New Zealand.
- Band & Skill Levels: IELTS scores range from 0–9, assessing listening, reading, writing, and speaking, and there is no pass/fail—each authority sets its own minimum requirements.
The minimum IELTS score plays a crucial role for individuals aiming to study, work, or migrate to destinations such as the UK, Canada, and Australia. It is essential to understand these score requirements, as universities, visa authorities, and employers have their own specific benchmarks. Typically, many universities ask for an overall band between 6.0 and 7.0, while immigration pathways may require at least 5.5.
Whether you are applying for a bachelor’s or master’s program, being aware of the required IELTS score is vital for achieving your academic and career goals. Make sure you stay updated and ready to meet the language proficiency standards set by top institutions around the world.
This Blog Includes:
IELTS Band Score & Skill Level
The IELTS band score system is designed to clearly assess a candidate’s English proficiency across listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Each band represents a specific skill level, ranging from non-user to expert user, helping universities, employers, and immigration authorities understand how effectively an individual can communicate in English. This structured scale ensures a fair and consistent evaluation, making it easier for institutions worldwide to set the required proficiency levels for academic, professional, or migration purposes.
| IELTS Band Score | Skill Level |
| 9 | Expert User |
| 8 | Very Good User |
| 7 | Good User |
| 6 | Competent User |
| 5 | Modest User |
| 4 | Limited User |
| 3 | Extremely limited user |
| 2 | Intermittent user |
| 1 | Non-user |
| 0 | Did not attempt the test |
Also Read: How to Apply for the IELTS Exam in India? Complete Step-by-Step Guide
IELTS Minimum Score: Key Highlights
IELTS does not have a pass or fail. Scores range from 0 to 9 bands, and every university or immigration authority sets its own minimum requirement.
General IELTS Academic Requirements
Below, we have provided the general IELTS academic requirements
- Undergraduate admissions (UG): Most countries require 6.0–6.5 overall, with no band below 5.5 or 6.0.
- Postgraduate admissions (PG): Most universities prefer 6.5–7.0 overall, with at least 6.0 in each skill.
- Foundation or pathway programs: Typically accept 4.5–5.5 overall, depending on institution and country.
Country-Specific IELTS Minimum Score Requirements
In this section, we have provided the country-specific IELTS minimum score requirements for the UK, Ireland, Europe (country-wise), Canada, the UAE/Dubai, the USA, and New Zealand.
| Country | UG IELTS Requirements | PG IELTS Requirements |
| UK | 6.0 overall (5.5 each band) | 6.5 overall (6.0 each band) |
| Ireland | 6.0 overall (5.5 each band) | 6.5 overall (6.0 each band) |
| Germany | 6.0 overall | 6.0–6.5 overall |
| France | 6.0 overall | 6.0–6.5 overall |
| Italy | 5.5–6.0 overall | 6.0–6.5 overall |
| Spain | 6.0 overall | 6.0–6.5 overall |
| Portugal | 5.5–6.0 overall | 6.0–6.5 overall |
| Netherlands | 6.0 overall (5.5 min band) | 6.5 overall |
| Austria | 6.0 overall | 6.0–6.5 overall |
| Belgium | 6.0 overall | 6.5 overall |
| Malta | 6.0 overall | 6.5 overall |
| Cyprus | 5.5–6.0 overall | 6.5 overall |
| Greece | 6.0 overall | 6.0–6.5 overall |
| Canada | 6.0 overall (5.5 each band) | 6.5 overall (6.0 each band) |
| UAE | 5.5–6.0 overall | 6.5 overall |
| USA | 5.5–6.5 overall (varies widely) | 6.5–7.0 overall |
| New Zealand | 6.0 overall (5.5 each band) | 6.5 overall (6.0 each band) |
Also Read: Most Difficult IELTS Speaking Questions for 2025: Part 1, 2 & 3 with PDF
IELTS Requirements by University in 2026 [Updated List]
In this section, we have provided the tabulated list of IELTS requirements by university, for each country.
UK
The following is a tabulated list of IELTS requirements for each of the top UK universities.
| University | UG (min IELTS) | PG (min IELTS) |
| University of Oxford | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| University of Cambridge | 7.0–7.5 | 7.0 |
| Imperial College London | 6.5–7.0 | 7.0 |
| University College London (UCL) | 6.5 | 6.5–7.0 |
| London School of Economics (LSE) | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| University of Manchester | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Edinburgh | 6.5 | 6.5–7.0 |
| King’s College London (KCL) | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| University of Bristol | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Warwick | 6.0–6.5 | 6.5 |
| University of Nottingham | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| University of Birmingham | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Glasgow | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| University of Sheffield | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Durham University | 6.5 | 6.5–7.0 |
| University of Southampton | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| University of Leeds | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Lancaster University | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Queen Mary University of London | 6.0–6.5 | 6.5 |
| University of Exeter | 6.5 | 6.5 |
Ireland
The following is a tabulated list of IELTS requirements for each of the top Irish universities.
| University | UG (min IELTS) | PG (min IELTS) |
| Trinity College Dublin (TCD) | 6.5 | 6.5–7.0 |
| University College Dublin (UCD) | 6.5 | 6.5–7.0 |
| University of Galway | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| University College Cork (UCC) | 6.0–6.5 | 6.5 |
| Dublin City University (DCU) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Maynooth University | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Limerick (UL) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Munster Technological University (MTU) | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0–6.5 |
| South East Technological University (SETU) | 6.0 | 6.0–6.5 |
| Atlantic Technological University (ATU) | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT) | 6.0 | 6.0–6.5 |
| Limerick Institute of Technology (TUS – Technological University of the Shannon) | 6.0 | 6.0–6.5 |
| National College of Ireland (NCI) | 6.0 | 6.0–6.5 |
| Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) | 6.5–7.0 | 6.5–7.0 |
| Griffith College Dublin | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Dublin Business School (DBS) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Institute of Art, Design & Technology (IADT) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Mary Immaculate College | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Carlow College | 6.0 | 6.5 |
Germany
The following is a tabulated list of IELTS requirements for each of the top German universities.
| University | UG (min IELTS) | PG (min IELTS) |
| Technical University of Munich (TUM) | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) | 6.0–6.5 | 6.5 |
| Heidelberg University | 6.5 | 6.5–7.0 |
| Humboldt University of Berlin | 6.0–6.5 | 6.5 |
| RWTH Aachen University | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Freiburg | 6.0–6.5 | 6.5 |
| University of Tübingen | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Free University of Berlin (FU Berlin) | 6.0–6.5 | 6.5 |
| Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Bonn | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| University of Göttingen | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Hamburg | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Cologne | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| TU Dresden | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Stuttgart | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Mannheim | 6.0 | 6.5–7.0 |
| Goethe University Frankfurt | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Saarland University | 6.0 | 6.5 |
France
The following is a tabulated list of IELTS requirements for each of the top French universities.
| University | UG (min IELTS) | PG (min IELTS) |
| Université PSL (Paris Sciences et Lettres) | 6.0–6.5 | 6.5–7.0 |
| Institut Polytechnique de Paris | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Sorbonne University | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Université Paris-Saclay | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| École Normale Supérieure Lyon (ENS Lyon) | 6.0–6.5 | 6.5 |
| École des Ponts ParisTech | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Université Grenoble Alpes | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Aix-Marseille University | 6.0 | 6.0–6.5 |
| Université de Montpellier | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Sciences Po Paris | 6.5 | 7.0 |
| Université de Strasbourg | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Université de Lille | 6.0 | 6.0–6.5 |
| Université Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Université Paris Cité | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Université de Bordeaux | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| NEOMA Business School | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| SKEMA Business School | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| EDHEC Business School | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Grenoble Ecole de Management (GEM) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Audencia Business School | 6.0 | 6.5 |
Italy
The following is a tabulated list of IELTS requirements for each of the top Italian universities.
| University | UG (min IELTS) | PG (min IELTS) |
| University of Bologna | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Sapienza University of Rome | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| University of Padua | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Milan | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0–6.5 |
| Politecnico di Milano | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Politecnico di Torino | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| University of Pisa | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| University of Florence | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| University of Naples Federico II | 5.5 | 6.0 |
| University of Rome Tor Vergata | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| University of Turin | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| University of Trento | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Genoa | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Ca’ Foscari University of Venice | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0–6.5 |
| University of Siena | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| University of Ferrara | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| University of Verona | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| University of Parma | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| LUISS University | 6.0 | 6.0–6.5 |
| Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0–6.5 |
Spain
The following is a tabulated list of IELTS requirements for each of the top Spanish universities.
| University | UG (min IELTS) | PG (min IELTS) |
| University of Barcelona (UB) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Valencia | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| University of Granada | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| University of Seville | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| IE University | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Zaragoza | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| University of Salamanca | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| University of Alicante | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| University of Murcia | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Rovira i Virgili University | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| University of Vigo | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Deusto University | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Navarra | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Carlos III University of Madrid (UC3M) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
Portugal
The following is a tabulated list of IELTS requirements for each of the top Portuguese universities.
| University | UG (min IELTS) | PG (min IELTS) |
| University of Lisbon (ULisboa) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Porto (U. Porto) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Coimbra | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| NOVA University Lisbon | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Aveiro | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Minho | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Catholic University of Portugal (UCP) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Évora | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Algarve | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Polytechnic Institute of Porto | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Polytechnic Institute of Leiria | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Polytechnic Institute of Bragança | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| University Fernando Pessoa | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Lusófona University | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Universidade Europeia | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Instituto Superior Técnico (IST Lisbon) | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Porto Business School | 6.0 | 6.5 |
Netherlands
The following is a tabulated list of IELTS requirements for each of the top Dutch universities.
| University | UG (min IELTS) | PG (min IELTS) |
| Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) | 6.0–6.5 | 6.5 |
| University of Amsterdam (UvA) | 6.0–6.5 | 6.5–7.0 |
| Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Leiden University | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Utrecht University | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Wageningen University & Research | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Erasmus University Rotterdam | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Groningen | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Radboud University | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Maastricht University | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Tilburg University | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Twente | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| HAN University of Applied Sciences | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS/HvA) | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Breda University of Applied Sciences | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Saxion University of Applied Sciences | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Leiden University of Applied Sciences | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
Austria
The following is a tabulated list of IELTS requirements for each of the top Austrian universities.
| University | UG (min IELTS) | PG (min IELTS) |
| University of Vienna | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Innsbruck | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU Linz) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Graz | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Salzburg | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Klagenfurt | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Medical University of Vienna | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Medical University of Graz | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Medical University of Innsbruck | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Applied Arts Vienna | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU Vienna) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU Vienna) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| University of Music and Performing Arts Graz | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| FH Technikum Wien (University of Applied Sciences Technikum Vienna) | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
Belgium
The following is a tabulated list of IELTS requirements for each of the top Belgian universities.
| University | UG (min IELTS) | PG (min IELTS) |
| KU Leuven | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Ghent University | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Antwerp | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Hasselt University | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Liège (ULiège) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Mons | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| University of Namur | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Antwerp Management School | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Solvay Brussels School of Economics & Management | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Thomas More University of Applied Sciences | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Howest University of Applied Sciences | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Artevelde University of Applied Sciences | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| PXL University of Applied Sciences and Arts | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Odisee University College | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| KdG University of Applied Sciences and Arts | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| University College Ghent (HOGENT) | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| VIVES University of Applied Sciences | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
Malta
The following is a tabulated list of IELTS requirements for each of the top Maltese universities.
| University | UG (min IELTS) | PG (min IELTS) |
| University of Malta | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology (MCAST) | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS Malta) | 5.5 | 6.0 |
| American University of Malta (AUM) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Global College Malta | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0–6.5 |
| STC Higher Education Malta | 5.5 | 6.0 |
| Advenio eAcademy | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| LearnKey Institute Malta | 5.5 | 6.0 |
| Domain Academy of Higher Education | 5.5 | 6.0 |
| EC Malta Higher Education Institute | 6.0 | 6.0–6.5 |
| EIE Institute of Education | 5.5 | 6.0 |
| London School of Commerce (LSC Malta) | 5.5 | 6.0 |
| European Graduate School (Malta Campus) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Gateway School of English – Higher Education | 5.5 | 6.0 |
| Alpha School of English – Higher Education | 5.5 | 6.0 |
| BELS Malta – Higher Education | 5.5 | 6.0 |
| International European University Malta | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| New Horizons Academy Malta (HE Programs) | 5.5 | 6.0 |
| Mediterranean Academy of Culture, Technology & Trade | 5.5 | 6.0 |
| IDEA Academy | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
UAE/Dubai
The following is a tabulated list of IELTS requirements for each of the top universities in the UAE (including Dubai and Abu Dhabi).
| University | UG (min IELTS) | PG (min IELTS) |
| Khalifa University | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0–6.5 |
| American University of Sharjah (AUS) | 6.5 | 7.0 |
| American University in Dubai (AUD) | 5.5–6.0 | 6.5 |
| Zayed University | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0–6.5 |
| University of Sharjah | 5.0–5.5 | 6.0 |
| Heriot-Watt University Dubai | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Middlesex University Dubai | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Birmingham Dubai | 6.0 | 6.5–7.0 |
| Murdoch University Dubai | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Abu Dhabi University | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0–6.5 |
| Canadian University Dubai | 5.5–6.0 | 6.5 |
| NYU Abu Dhabi (New York University Abu Dhabi) | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT Dubai) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Manipal Academy of Higher Education Dubai | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Amity University Dubai | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Westford University College | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Skyline University College | 5.5 | 6.0 |
USA
The following is a tabulated list of IELTS requirements for each of the top US universities.
| University | UG (min IELTS) | PG (min IELTS) |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 7.0 | 7.5 |
| Stanford University | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| Harvard University | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| University of Chicago | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| Princeton University | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| Yale University | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| Columbia University | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| Cornell University | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) | 6.5–7.0 | 7.0 |
| University of Michigan, Ann Arbour | 6.5–7.0 | 6.5–7.0 |
| University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | 6.5–7.0 | 6.5–7.0 |
| University of Washington | 6.5–7.0 | 6.5–7.0 |
| University of Southern California (USC) | 6.5–7.0 | 6.5–7.0 |
| New York University (NYU) | 6.5–7.0 | 6.5–7.0 |
| University of Texas at Austin | 6.5–7.0 | 6.5–7.0 |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | 6.5–7.0 | 7.0 |
Canada
The following is a tabulated list of IELTS requirements for each of the top Canadian universities.
| University | UG (min IELTS) | PG (min IELTS) |
| University of Toronto | 6.5 | 7.0 |
| University of British Columbia (UBC) | 6.5 | 6.5–7.0 |
| McGill University | 6.5 | 6.5–7.0 |
| University of Alberta | 6.5 | 6.5–7.0 |
| University of Montreal (UdeM) | 6.5 | 6.5–7.0 |
| McMaster University | 6.5 | 6.5–7.0 |
| University of Waterloo | 6.5 | 6.5–7.0 |
| Western University | 6.5 | 6.5–7.0 |
| Queen’s University | 6.5 | 6.5–7.0 |
| University of Calgary | 6.5 | 6.5–7.0 |
| University of Ottawa | 6.5 | 6.5–7.0 |
| Simon Fraser University | 6.5 | 6.5–7.0 |
| Dalhousie University | 6.5 | 6.5–7.0 |
| University of Victoria | 6.5 | 6.5–7.0 |
| Laval University | 6.0–6.5 | 6.5 |
| Concordia University | 6.5 | 6.5–7.0 |
| University of Manitoba | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| University of Saskatchewan | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Carleton University | 6.5 | 6.5–7.0 |
| Ryerson University (Toronto Metropolitan University) | 6.5 | 6.5–7.0 |
New Zealand
The following is a tabulated list of IELTS requirements for each of the top New Zealand universities.
| University | UG (min IELTS) | PG (min IELTS) |
| University of Auckland | 6.0–6.5 | 6.5–7.0 |
| University of Otago | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Canterbury | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Victoria University of Wellington | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| University of Waikato | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Massey University | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Auckland University of Technology (AUT) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Lincoln University | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Otago Polytechnic / Southern Institute of Technology | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Manukau Institute of Technology | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Unitec Institute of Technology | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| NorthTec / Northland Institute of Technology | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Waikato Institute of Technology | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Universal College of Learning (UCOL) | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Wellington Institute of Technology | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
| Open Polytechnic of New Zealand | 5.5–6.0 | 6.0 |
FAQs
Most universities across countries like the UK, Ireland, Europe, Canada, and New Zealand require an overall band of 6.0–6.5 for undergraduate programs, with no individual skill below 5.5–6.0, depending on the institution.
For postgraduate programs, most universities prefer an overall IELTS band of 6.5–7.0, with at least 6.0 in each skill (listening, reading, writing, speaking).
No, IELTS does not have a pass or fail. Scores range from 0 to 9 bands, and universities or immigration authorities set their own minimum requirements.
Yes, foundation or pathway programs typically accept lower scores ranging from 4.5–5.5 overall, depending on the country and institution.
Yes, each country and university sets its own specific minimum score, which can vary significantly depending on program type and institution ranking.
Related Reads
This concludes our comprehensive guide on the IELTS requirements for university in 2026. We have detailed the minimum IELTS bands for undergraduate and postgraduate programs, provided university-wise scores across multiple countries, and highlighted key considerations for international students. With this information, you can confidently plan your applications and take the next steps toward achieving your academic goals. For more updates and insights on studying abroad, be sure to explore the Study Abroad resources on Leverage Edu.
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